Alpha Waves

Boing... Boing... Boing...

Alpha Waves is a unique game released by Infogrames in 1990 and is nothing like I first imagined (back in the day, I mean). In fact, I still remember the first time I booted it up. This is weird and one of those moments that I had to pick up my jaw from the floor. Not because I was seeing wondrous graphics or anything I might have hoped for - but simply because I was experiencing something brand new.

Yes, this is a new genre of 16-bit gaming that had us piloting an odd spaceship (it looks like a wedge of cheese). We are trapped within a multi-roomed cube and each of these inner rooms is littered with platforms. These function to progressively bounce us higher into the air, which is our means of transportation. Ie, reaching other ledges. Hey, I guess they forgot to include an engine in our little wedge of cheese? Well, almost...

Anyhow, this mechanic allows our ship to bounce independently, as if on a trampoline. But that effect only happens when using the platforms, otherwise gravity takes over fully and we sink to the floor like a lead balloon. All that is because this wedge of cheese has no upward thrust, only forwards. So skim from platform to platform - to ultimately reach the dizzy heights. Ultimately, to reach the exit door.

It's a cool concept that is well-executed and easy to pick up and play, so let's view a screenshot...

That's me there and you can see my shadow. Use that for guidance.

But is it any good?

We have two gameplay modes: "Action" has a time restriction, whereas "Emotion" gives you all the time in the world and is useful for newcomers or those simply wanting the leisurely experience. Controls are best with the joystick and navigation can be improved by pushing up/down to change your world-view angle.

Interestingly, a shadow is cast by your craft - this helps to pinpoint your position in each position perfectly, and totally necessary. Some rooms contain obscure baddies which can annoyingly get in the way and knock you about - watch out for the "snake" creature!! Alpha Waves will never disappoint no matter which gameplay style you prefer. Of course, I like to play the "Emotion", which is absolutely superb for explorers!

As you can tell, it's tough to explain but much easier to pick up play! So let's see a screenshot...

What is that weird thing? An enemy ship or someone coming over to help?

Aesthetics

This appears simple or even crude judging by the screenshots? Playing the game reveals how great everything moves in what I can only describe as an abstract world of 3D-filled vectors with zero distance clipping.

Faster computers will knock it out of the park, but the 8MHz Atari ST performs fluently. Heck, it even runs in high resolution so you can see all the polygons at 640x400 without any slowdown (but I personally preferred the wacky colours in low resolution which looks a lot better to IMHO).

Sound effects are samples and nice too but, there is little else to hear. If I'm honest, you spend most of your time listening to your ship bouncing on platformers. I love the door sound effect, very Interphase I thought.

So it looks weird but also brilliant at the same time, so let's check out a screenshot...

The CryptO'pinion?

I personally rank this as one of the best Atari ST games I have ever played. Bold statement but this is an amazing experience and a perfect example of the gems lurking within our archives just waiting to be discovered. It may not appeal to everyone but Alpha Waves certainly helped invent a genre that nobody ever expected. It plays great with many unique challenges that require much skill and perseverance.

A flabbergasting moment in gaming history and one I absolutely adore. Who would ever have thought bouncing a piece of cheese through cubic rooms would be so much fun? An historic game that you need to play!!

• Downloads are available for both floppy and super-zippy hard drives!